Apparatus and method for triggering thermogenesis

ABSTRACT

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a system and articles for triggering thermogenesis may be provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the system may include a vest, at least one wrist wrap, and a neck pad. The vest, at least one wrist wrap, and neck pad may each include at least one cooling element capable of influencing a wearer&#39;s body temperature.

BACKGROUND

Thermogenesis is the production of heat in an organism, such as a human or animal. Brown adipose tissue (BAT), or brown fat, in humans functions to produce heat and is activated by exposure to cold temperatures. BAT was known to be prevalent in babies and its presence in adults has recently been widely accepted. When BAT activity is present, energy expenditure is increased. It has been shown that through triggering BAT activity, body fat can be burned and subsequently lead to weight loss.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a vest for triggering thermogenesis may be provided. The vest may have a back panel with two columns of at least one cooling element. The columns may be separated by a folding line. The vest may further include a left and right front panel integral to the back panel over a shoulder and laced to an outer edge of the back panel below an arm hole. The left and right front panels may have one column of at least one cooling element, which may be substantially equal in width to the back panel columns. The vest may further include an interior surface material having moisture wicking characteristics. The front edges of the left and right front panels may be capable of removably fastening.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a system for triggering thermogenesis may be provided. The system may include a vest having a back panel with two columns of at least one cooling element separated by a vertical folding line. The vest may further have a left and right front panel integral to the back panel over a shoulder and laced to an outer edge of the back panel below an arm hole. The left and right front panels may have one column of at least one cooling element substantially equal in width to the back panel columns. The vest may further have an interior surface material with moisture wicking characteristics and a padded collar extending inside a neck line of the back panel. The front edges of the left and right front panels may be configured to removably fasten. The system may further include an outer shell capable of enclosing and insulating the vest on a wearer's body, a neck pad capable of wrapping around a wearer's neck and housing a cooling element, and at least one wrist wrap capable of wrapping around a wearer's wrist and housing a cooling element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which:

Exemplary FIG. 1 may show a perspective view of articles for triggering thermogenesis;

Exemplary FIG. 2 may show a perspective view of articles for triggering thermogenesis;

Exemplary FIG. 3 may show an exploded perspective view of articles for triggering thermogenesis with a case;

Exemplary FIG. 4 may show a front perspective view of an outer shell for an article for triggering thermogenesis;

Exemplary FIG. 5 may show a rear perspective view of a vest for triggering thermogenesis;

Exemplary FIG. 6 may show a front perspective view of a vest for triggering thermogenesis;

Exemplary FIG. 7 may show a cross-sectional view of a vest for triggering thermogenesis;

Exemplary FIG. 8 may show a perspective view of an article for triggering thermogenesis; and

Exemplary FIG. 9 may show a perspective view of another embodiment of an article for triggering thermogenesis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for triggering thermogenesis may be provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus for triggering thermogenesis may include a wearable article having a cooling element. In some exemplary embodiments, a cooling element may be a phase change material, ice pack, liquid cooling agent, electric cooling element, or other types of cooling elements as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The cooling element may optionally be a gel material for improving flexibility, conformity, and comfort. In some alternative exemplary embodiments, the cooling element may optionally include water pumped through channels or tubes disposed within an article, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Now referring to exemplary FIGS. 1-3, wearable articles for triggering thermogenesis 100 may be shown. A wearable article for triggering thermogenesis 100 may include a vest 200, a neck pad 300, or at least one wrist wrap 400. In some further exemplary embodiments, an outer shell article 250 may be provided. Each article for triggering thermogenesis 100 may optionally be worn independently or in combination with other articles for triggering thermogenesis 100. Additionally, as shown in exemplary FIG. 3, a case 500 for storing and transporting articles for triggering thermogenesis may be provided. Case 500 may be capable of holding at least one article for triggering thermogenesis 100 and may have insulation 502 for protecting an article for triggering thermogenesis 100 from ambient temperatures. Insulation 502 may allow an article for triggering thermogenesis 100 to be transported or stored in a cooled state for use at a later time. Case 500 may further include a carrying strap 504 and a sealable lid 506. Sealable lid 506 may be sealed by a zipper, hook and loop type fastener, or any other desired fastener 508, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to exemplary FIG. 4, outer shell 250 may be used to provide insulation and a desired aesthetic appearance. Outer shell 250 may limit or insulate vest 200 from exposure to ambient elements other than a wearer's body when worn. Outer shell 250 may optionally include a layer of insulating material. This may improve and prolong the cooling effect of an article on a wearer's body. Outer shell 250 may be shaped and sized to fit over a vest 200. In an exemplary embodiment, outer shell 250 may optionally be a vest. Outer shell 250 may have a neckline 252 capable of accommodating a padded collar of vest 200. In some exemplary embodiments, outer shell 250 may be a full-length zip-up style shell to facilitate putting on and taking off. In alternative exemplary embodiments, outer shell 250 may optionally be a pullover, partial zip-up, or full or partial button-up article, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Outer shell 250 may optionally have an inner liner made of a material unlikely to snag on vest 200. In yet further exemplary embodiments, an outer shell 250 may include pockets. Still further, an outer shell 250 may have reflective material for safety of the wearer in a low-light environment.

Now referring to exemplary FIG. 5-7, a wearable article for triggering thermogenesis 100 may be a vest 200, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Vest 200 may further include at least one cooling element 202, which may be capable of influencing the temperature of a user's body. In some exemplary embodiments, the at least one cooling element 202 may be integrally formed in vest 200. In other exemplary embodiments, the at least one cooling element 202 may be inserted into at least one corresponding pocket disposed in vest 200. A cooling element 202 may optionally be removable or may be permanently sealed in a pocket. In some exemplary embodiments, vest 200 may have a back panel 204 and two front panels 206, 208 capable of being secured together, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Front panels 206, 208 may optionally secure together by a front zipper or other fastener. In at least one exemplary embodiment, each front panel 206, 208 may be integrally connected to back panel 204 at the shoulder areas, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Outer edges of front panels 206, 208 may be secured along a distance of an outer edge of back panel 204, leaving arm openings. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer edges of the front panels may be secured to the edge of the back panel by elastic cord 210. This may allow for adjustments and flexibility in the size of the vest. Elastic cord 210 may be laced through multiple securing points 211, which may allow for a consistent fit along the length of the vest 200. Elastic cord 210 may further by tightened to apply a desired pressure on the panels, such that consistent pressure, contact or proximity is maintained between the vest panels and a wearer's body. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the panels may be secured by buttons, snaps, hook and loop type fasteners, or any other fastener as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

Vest 200 may further include a padded collar 212, which may improve comfort and improve the cooling effect. Padded collar 212 may optionally extend inside of a neck line 214 of vest 200, so as to prevent neck line 214 from resting on a wearer's body. This may improve comfort due to the padding offsetting the weight of the vest. This may also improve the cooling effect by establishing consistent contact with a wearer's body, preventing escape of the cooling effect and insulating a wearer from ambient air intrusion. In an exemplary embodiment, padded collar may optionally be made of micro-fleece, or any other desired material as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

In some exemplary embodiments, vest 200 may optionally include an interior surface material layer capable of improving comfort on a wearer's skin. An interior surface material may also optionally have a wicking capability for removing condensation during a cooling period. Finally, the interior surface layer material may meter or limit the cooling effect of the cooling elements on a wearer's body, as desired. In at least one exemplary embodiment, an interior surface material may be micro-fleece or any other similar material as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. A cooling element 202 may be able to influence and affect a wearer's body through the interior surface material.

As shown in exemplary FIG. 7, vest 200 may have at least one integrally formed sealed pocket 203 or compartment, which may house a cooling element 202. In an exemplary embodiment, vest 200 may include material 201, which may be capable of containing a cooling element 202. In some alternative exemplary embodiments, a separate liner material may optionally be used to contain cooling element 202 or cooling element 202 may be a self-contained object inserted within a pocket formed by material 201. A variety of alternative embodiments may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The at least one cooling element 202 may optionally be arranged on vest 200 so as to facilitate folding and storage in a case 500, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one cooling element may be arranged in columns of substantially equal length, including on the back panel 204 and front panels 206, 208. In at least one exemplary embodiment, this may result in two columns on a back panel 204 and one column on each front panel 206, 208. A vertical folding line 216 may result between the arrangement of columns. In some further exemplary embodiments, there may be multiple rows of cooling elements 202. Horizontal folding lines 218 may result between each row of cooling elements 202, which may facilitate further folding or rolling of the vest 200.

Referring to exemplary FIG. 8, a neck pad 300 may be shaped, such that the ends may be capable of extending around a wearer's neck and engaging each other. For example, the ends may engage through the use of hook and loop type fasteners, snaps, buttons, adhesives, ties, or other fasteners as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, a fastener portion may be disposed on at least one end securing area 302. The fastener may optionally be capable of engaging the outer surface material of neck pad 300, such that the at least one securing area 302 may optionally affix to the surface of an opposite end 304, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. A neck pad 300 may be capable of housing a cooling element 310. The cooling element 310 may optionally be permanently sealed within the neck pad 300, or may be removable from the neck pad 300. In exemplary embodiments where cooling element 310 includes a liquid or gel, cooling element 310 may optionally be an independent object, or the material of neck pad 300 may serve as the housing for the liquid or gel. In embodiments where the cooling element 310 is removable, the cooling element may be inserted in an openable pocket disposed within the neck pad. In some exemplary embodiments, the openable pocket may include two overlapping flaps, which may open in opposite directions to securedly retain cooling element 310.

Now referring to exemplary FIG. 9, a wrist wrap article 400 may be provided. A wrist wrap article may include a substantially elongated panel, which may be capable of wrapping around a wearer's limb, such that securing areas 302, 304 on each end may engage each other. In an exemplary embodiment, a fastener affixed on securing area 302 may engage a fastener or the material of securing area 304. An exemplary wrist wrap may include a cooling element 410 which may optionally be permanently sealed within the wrist wrap, or may be removable from the wrist wrap. In embodiments where the cooling element is removable, the cooling element may be inserted in an openable pocket. In some exemplary embodiments, the openable pocket may include two overlapping flaps which may open in opposite directions to securedly retain cooling element 410.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vest for triggering thermogenesis comprising: a back panel having two columns of at least one cooling element separated by a vertical folding line; a left front panel integral to the back panel over a shoulder and laced to an outer edge of the back panel below an arm hole, the left front panel having one column of at least one cooling element substantially equal in width to the back panel columns; a right front panel integral to the back panel over a shoulder and laced to an outer edge of the back panel below an arm hole, the right front panel having one column of at least one cooling element substantially equal in width to the back panel columns; an interior surface material having moisture wicking characteristics; and wherein front edges of the left and right front panels are configured to removably fasten.
 2. The vest of claim 1, further comprising a padded collar extending inside a neck line of the back panel so as to provide padding between the neck line and a wearer and to provide consistent contact to a wearer's body insulating a wearer's body within the vest from ambient air.
 3. The vest of claim 1, wherein the left front panel and right front panel are laced to the back panel through a series of connection points with an elastic cord configured to provide consistent contact between the vest and a wearer's body.
 4. The vest of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cooling elements in each column separated by horizontal folding lines.
 5. The vest of claim 4, wherein the vertical folding line and edges of the panels are configured to allow the vest to be folded substantially into the width of a single column and the horizontal folding lines are configured to allow the folded vest to be rolled or further folded.
 6. The vest of claim 1, wherein the at least one cooling element comprises a phase change gel.
 7. The vest of claim 1, wherein the interior surface material comprises microfleece.
 8. The vest of claim 1, wherein the at least one cooling elements are sealed permanently within the vest.
 9. The vest of claim 1, wherein the at least one cooling elements are removable from the vest.
 10. The vest of claim 1, further comprising an outer shell capable of enclosing and insulating the vest on a wearer's body.
 11. A system for triggering thermogenesis comprising: a vest having a back panel having two columns of at least one cooling element separated by a vertical folding line, a left front panel integral to the back panel over a shoulder and laced to an outer edge of the back panel below an arm hole, the left front panel having one column of at least one cooling element substantially equal in width to the back panel columns, a right front panel integral to the back panel over a shoulder and laced to an outer edge of the back panel below an arm hole, the right front panel having one column of at least one cooling element substantially equal in width to the back panel columns, an interior surface material having moisture wicking characteristics, and a padded collar extending inside a neck line of the back panel, wherein front edges of the left and right front panels are configured to removably fasten; an outer shell capable of enclosing and insulating the vest on a wearer's body; a neck pad configured to wrap around a wearer's neck, wherein the neck pad comprises a cooling element disposed therein; and at least one wrist wrap configured to wrap around a wearer's wrist, wherein the at least one wrist wrap comprises a cooling element disposed therein.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one cooling element comprises a phase change gel.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the outer shell comprises insulating material.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the wrist wrap and neck pad cooling elements are removable. 